Zipper construction and parts therefor



Sept. 14, 1954 A, SUSSKWD 2,688,783

ZIPPER CONSTRUCTION AND PARTS THEREFOR Filed Aug. 2, 1951 3 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR .fflerf Sass/vino! I I BY 6 \Z/ w P 14, 1954 A SUSSKIND ZIPPER CONSTRUCTION AND PARTS THEREFOR 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTQR L/QZZ'JeI-Z- Sass/canal jf mdw ATTGRNEY Filed Aug. 2, 1951 p y 1954 A. SUSSKIND ZIPPER CONSTRUCTION AND PARTS THEREFOR 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTOR Albai Sasslaznd ATTORNEY Filed Aug. 2, 1951 Patented Sept. 14, 1954 UNITED STATES .ATENT OFFICE ZIPPER CONSTRUCTION AND PARTS THEREFOR 9 Claims. 1

This invention relates to end construction for zippers and more particularly the zipper parts for forming end bridge and separator parts.

This application in part continues some of the features of my invention described in my appli cation Serial No. 93,025, filed May 13, 1949 for Separator for Zippers.

In accordance with the aforementioned application, my invention contemplates as an objective thereof the provision of custom-made lengths of zippers, segments of which are cut from indeterminate lengths of interengaging stringers and separable fasteners or scoops, and applying thereto end pieces such as top and bottom stops, end stops or separator coupling elements without special tools or factory jigs.

In the present application I likewise provide zipper parts whereby custom-made lengths of zippers cut from indeterminate lengths or segments of interengaging stringers and separable fasteners or scoops, may have applied thereto by hand end pieces comprising top and bottom stops, bridge stop pieces and stops or separator coupling parts without special tools or jigs, and

thereby provide the assembly by the expedient of attaching the said end pieces to retain a high degree of flexibility and to provide the desired additional length of stringer tape or equivalent fabric so that cut sections of the character described are thereby augmented as well as made manually without special tools or factory jigs.

Still more particularly, it is an object of the present invention to provide an end construction forming an end stop, top or bottom stop, bridge stop or separator in which a flexible end strip is adhesively united or cementitiously integrated with the stringer end between the fasteners or scoops whereby the tape or stringer ends form a waste where extra lengths need not be embodied in the stringer assembly, and wherein the tape end as normally required to sew the zipper assembly into a garment or like construction is supplied by the carrier forming the top,

bottom, bridge and separator stops.

Still further, it is contemplated by my inven tion to provide an end stop construction for zippers or like separable fastener assembly in which the minimum amount of metal is employed or its use completely eliminated, and the top, bottom, bridge or separator parts are formed of a flexible sheeted material whereby the maximum length of stringers carrying scoops or teeth may be employed without sacrificing strength in embodying the zipper into a garment installation.

Still more particularly, it is an object ofthis invention to provide top, bottom, bridge and separator stops which may be applied manually to sections of stringers carrying scoops or interengaging separable fasteners characterized by cmploying as the top, bottom, bridge end separator stops, carriers in the form of tape embodying a cementitious layer, such as normally tacky pressure sensitive adhesive or'capable of being activated or energized into attaching position on the stringer tape, including the intermediate gap between the scoops to provide a flexible zipper con struction, involving simplicity of assembly for preparing sections cut from interengaging stringers of indeterminate length.

To attain these objects and such further objects as may appear herein or be hereinafter pointed out, I make reference to the accompanying drawings forming a part hereof, in which:

Figure 1 is a plan view illustrating a zipper assembly employing a bridge and a bottom stop in accordance with the specific form of my invention;

Figure 2 is a perspective view of a bridge and the bottom stop in accordance with my invention;

Figure 3 is a section taken on the line 3-3 of Figure 2 Figure 4 is a fragmentary plan view of a zipper assembly embodied in a fragment of a garment to form a zipper-closed placket;

Figure 5 is a plan view of a zipper assembly employing top and bottom stops in accordance with my invention;

Figure 6 is a perspective view of a top stop assembly before attachment;

Figure 7 is a section taken on the line 7-7 of Figure 4;

Figure 8 is an exploded perspective view of the parts entering into the production of a zipper;

Figure 9 is a perspective View of the same parts assembled into the male separator assembly;

Figure 10 is a perspective view of the separator attaching assembly forming the socket or female portion thereof;

Figure 11 is a plan view showing the stringer tape illustrating the initial step for attachment of the separator;

Figure 12 is a plan View showing the male separator element attached in position;

Figure 13 is a plan view showing the socket or separator element applied in position;

Figure 14 is a plan view of a stringer and scoop assembly with the end stops and separator stops in position;

Figure 15 is a section taken on'the line |5l5 of Figure'l l;

Figure 15a is a section on the line l5a-l5a of Figure 14;

Figure 16 is a section taken on the line Et-lt of Figure 14.

Summarizing my invention, I provide an end construction for stringers of zippers in which flexibility is retained by incorporating a cementitious material, such as glue or cement, as the bonding layer between zipper stringer and a layer of tape, to and including the spaces between scoops of custom length assemblies out from indeterminate lengths of interengaging stringers and separable fasteners or scoops, the end construction becoming a part of the flexible stringer assembly to thereby serve to reinforce the stringer tape, making directly available sections of such zipper cut from segments thereof without extra length of tape.

Making reference to the drawing, I show in Figure l a segment H) of a stringer in which stringer tape elements H and I2 carry complementary separable fasteners or scoops i3 and M. The segment so provided is cut at its bottom end I5 and top end it forming an indeterminate length as it comes from the manufacturing apparatus, or it is trimmed from a section thereof in accordance with a procedure outlined in my Patent No. 2,217,571, granted October 8, 1940, and Patent No. 2,471,461, granted May 31, 1949. Such strip requires the attachment thereto of top, or bridge and bottom stops where the zippers are to form separable closure means for a placket, or the provisions of top stops or separator stops where the zipper assembly is to form a closure in which the upper and/or lower parts are bodily separable from each other, as in a coat or jacket.

In the simplest form of my invention illustrated in Figures 1 to 4 wherein the zipper assembly forms a closure in the nature of an opening comprising a placket, I provide a bottom stop i! and bridge stop l8 made from an accessory illustrated in Figures 2 and 3. A carrier strip of tape IQ of woven material, such as tape, is coated with a layer of adhesive 22 and brought together to form a fold 2i joining the adhesive in a layer 22, leaving unconnected tabs 23 and 2d. The adhesive surface of the tabs 23 and 2 1 is protected from accidental contact by liners 25 and 25 up to the crotch 21, leaving finger grasping extensions 28 and 29, respectively. The assembly of the strip [9 illustrated in Figure 1 is effected by first applying the bottom stop i'! to the edge 15. To accomplish this, the tab ay have its protective liner 25 removed therefrom. Thereupon the adhesive layer 20 is pressure contacted, with one surface of the scoop-joined stringers to bring the edge I 5 adjacent the crotch 27. With this initial adhesion effected, the liner 2G is removed and the tab 24 affixed to the opposite surface of the stringer assembly. The overhanging edges 313 to each side of the stringers are united by bringing the adhesive surface 23 on the tabs 23 and 24 into contact with the edge fold 2i. In this condition the top [6 of the zipper assembly has threaded thereon the slider 31 partially to disengage the row of scoops l3 and I l from each other. At the separated ends at the top I apply the stop at tachment shown in Figures 2 and 3 to form the bridge stop l8. The procedure which is followed is somewhat similar to that described in applying the bottom stop ll. At the top end, however, each of the stringer segments H and I2 is maintained in spaced position for a small distance to apply the ends 32 to one face of a tab 23 after removal of a liner. Thereupon the opposed tab 25 is brought down on the stringer ends 32-32 on the opposite face, pressing the adhesive against the stringers to drive the adhesive intimately into engagement with the stringers and to extend the adhesive in the spaces between scoops. The gap 33 is closed to intimately join the adhesive surfaces on each of the tabs 23 and 24 to each other and to mold the tape about the scoops.

In choosing the backing E9 or for making the tape coating of the bottom stop and bridge stop, I select a thickness of fabric which is slightly greater than the clearance slot between the slider 3| and the scoops it actuates. It will be understood, however, that the material forming the bridge stop may be of thinner fabric material since the closed gap 33 between rows of scoops forms an effective stop for the web joining upper and lower segments of the slider. In general, I prefer to employ for the strip is cloth which is sized on one side and is coated with a layer of rubbery pressure sensitive adhesive material on the opposite face, which may upon contact be adhered or adhesively united without extraneous activation. The layer is sufficiently thick so that it and the backing carrying the same may be pressed in the gaps between each of the scoops as previously described.

While I have illustrated and prefer tape carrying a layer of a normally tacky pressure sensitive adhesive, it will be understood that I may provide a strip having a coating which becomes active under heat as by the ironing temperature of a hot iron used in the household. It will also be understood that while I have described the strip to form the end stop or the bridge or bottom stop or for other purposes hereinafter described, where an end and separator attachment is made employing a pressure sensitive adhesive or a heat activatable adhesive, a separately applied cementitious material may be employed to effect the union of the strip of tape. Accordingly, a flexible adhesive or cementitious material, having a layer which unites the strip of tape and fiOVVS in the space between the scoops to affix itself in the valleys between scoops, is contemplated by my invention to serve in a measure in the same manner as the tape carrying the pressure sensitive adhesive.

An assembly as shown in Figure 1 may tl1c1'? after be applied to garment segment 34 wl1erein a placket 35 may have a closure of the assembly. Rows of stitches 36 may be applied to unite the stringers H and i2 in the usual way and also to pierce through the tabs 23 and 2s and the folded portion l9. By this construction, the usual tape ends provided in machine made segments of zipper assemblies are eliminated; the tapeseals the stringer ends from raveling and serves to provide bulk over the scoops, acting as an obstruction to the slider. The encasing of scoops between the tabs 23 and 24 not only acts as an obstruction or stop to the movement of the slider, but serves to integrate the stringers against dislodgment, as there is less likelihood of canting of an independent scoop where five or six scoops on each stringer are retained in inter engaging position beneath the end steps of tape provided by me as described.

While I have shown and described the stop strip I! in Figures 2 and 3 for forming the bottom stop and bridge stop, I may use similar strips for forming end stops as illustrated in Figures 5 and 6. For this purpose, a strip 31 having a layer of adhesive 38, as in the prior embodiment, is provided with the temporary protective liner strips 39 and 40, including pull tabs 4| and'42 meeting at the medial point 43; The width of the tape 31 is calculated to cover the stringers II and I2 upon folding in doubled condition to leave an overhang 44. The end stop piece 31 may be applied to the stringer ends 32a shown in Figures 5 and 16 by first stripping therefrom the liner 39 to bring the scoops adjacent the remaining fold outlining the tab '42, leaving an end strip extending beyond the last scoop. Thereupon, the liner 40 is removed and the stop piece folded over the scoops to bring the overhanging portions of each segment into contact and to press the adhesive on opposite faces of the stringer tape end into the valleys or grooves between scoops as in the prior embodiment; The fold 46corresponds to the medial portion 43 of the tab shown in Figure 6. The thickness of the fabric and the adhesive is calculated to form the bulk to obstruct the slider 3| and provide an effective end stop for the ends of the tape 32a, as well as to prevent unraveling and to provide an extension sewing end where the tape is to form a closure for a garment. Accordingly, tape ends may be made section of finger-pressure deformable thin sheet metal in accordance with my application, Serial No. 93,025, previously mentioned. A soft brass of .008 to .010 inches in thickness is suitable, even though a range below such thickness may be employed. The strip 4'! has a branch 48 joined to a branch 49 by hinge portions 50 and 5| defining edges 52 and 53 forming an opening within which two or more scoops may be positioned. The hinge portions 50 and 5| are partly tubularly shaped and semi-cylindrical and terminate in a finger portion 54 spaced from shoulders 55 in each of the wings. A portion of the metal cut in from the edge 56 is turned in at 51 to provide a complete cylinder or tube. With this assembly for forming the male member of the separator, I apply a strip of tape 58 having a coating of adhesive 59 which is desirably made of pressure sensitive adhesive. The tape is adhesively united to the hinge portion 5| and finger portion 54, to and including the Wings 48 and 49 in line with the edge 53 thereof at the upper portion. The edge 30 of the tab is aligned with theedge 53 to bring ends 6| and 62 of sufiicient length to extend and overlap the stringers employed in the zipper assembly. The bottom edge 63 is coterminous with the end 54' of the finger 54 previously described. In this position liner strips 64 and 65 are applied to the adhesive surface leaving spaced pull tabs 66 and 61. In this position a reinforcing tube 68 of semi-cylindrical outline and preferably of heavier stock is provided to span the hinge 5| and the overlying fold 59 of tape; thereupon the branches 1|) and H are machine clinched over the hinge 5| and finger 54 to rigidify this portion of the separator, including the finger end 54, a tab 12 being turned over to close the cylindrical or tube end of the finger 54.

While I have described the separator segment 41 for the production of the male segment by omitting the tube 68, the same assembly may serve to form' the female segment. For this purpose I provide acoupling element 13 having socket portions 14 and 15 separated by webs l6 medially thereof and inwardly turned flanges I! and m at the sides thereof. The assembly previously described at the point before applying the reinforcing tube 68 is inserted within the socket l5 and then subjected to a blow or vise pressure to clinch or crimp the edge portions 19 and about the hingeportion 5|, the finger portion 54 with the adhesive sheet 58 interposed therebetween. The socket I4 is left open at the end and side to provide a slot 8| defined by the flanges 11. Thus the male portion 68 may ride in the socket 14 to extend the connecting edges 6| and 62 through the slot 8|.

In applying the separator segments illustrated in Figures 9 and 10 in assembled relation to the stringer and scoops, a procedure is followed somewhat similar to that described in my application Serial No. 93,025 above mentioned. For this purpose reference'is made to Figures 11,12, 13 and 14.

Referring specifically to Figure 13, the stringers |2a and the scoops 3, attached thereto by the usual machineprocedure, have been severed from an indeterminate length along the edge |5a. The tapes are pulled apart, since no slider or end stops have as yet been mounted thereon. Thereupon, a segment A is out along the line 82 and 83, closely adjacent to the butt ends of the scoops, to cut a section of the stringer and three of the scoops corresponding substantially to the length of the end stop pieces 41 to the edge 53. The female separator member shown in Figure 10 may thereupon be attached by spanning the loop 5|] over the stringer and between scoop |3a and scoop I312, to extend the scoops I3?) and |3c between the edges 52 and 53. In this position the liner 65 is removed and the branch 49 is pressed against the stringer I2a, adhesively uniting the tab 62 to the stringer. Thereupon the liner 64 is removed, to bring the opposed tab 6| into union with the opposed face of the stringer, and at the same time molding the branches 48 and 49 over the edge 82 of the stringer. The free ends of the tabs BI and 62 are then pressed against each other, to adhesively enclose the edge |5a and the outside edge of the stringer.

Similar procedure is carried out in forming the assembly shown in Figure 12 wherein the male segment of the separator assembly is attached.

By the procedure outlined, a flexible end stop and separator assembly is provided including adhesive union of the cut ends to prevent fraying at the severed segments, as described in conjunction with the embodiment illustrated in Figures 1 to 7.

It will be understood that upon completing the assembly as shown in Figures 12 and 13, the slider 3| is positioned on the stringer |2a carryin the female segment of the separator, and brought into position adjacent the separator segment. End stops 3! may thereupon be applied as illustrated in Figure 5 to the stringers Ila and |2a adjacent the upper end. The male and female segments may thereupon be assembled and theslider slid adjacent the top end stops, completing the assembly of the zipper and making it ready for attachment to the garment in a manner which will be readily understood.

It will thus be observed that, by the construction which I have provided, top, bottom, bridge and separator parts may be formed on stringers by hand manipulating operation, made effective by adhesive union, molding the carriers to and between the scoops and engaging the stringers in the valleys, grooves or recesses between scoops also to prevent raveling of the stringers and provide end extensions of flexible character which may be sewn into position on a garment.

As in the embodiment illustrated in my prior application, home sewers may purchase predetermined lengths of such stringers to fit individual requirements or salvage sections from longer sections of stringers. The provision of soft and flexible end pieces is thereby made possible. All of the stop pieces and separator pieces may be sewn in position. Repair and replacement may be easily effected. Stringers having plastic or nylon scoops may be employed with effective union and all of the stringers that may be employed here need not be made to special length with free or extended tape ends.

t will be further observed that one of the features of my invention resides in the provision of stop members whether for the top or bottom bridge attaching members to act as stops for the slider which is applicable to a variety of forms and sizes of the chain, comprising the stringer and scoops, so that special tooling need not be resorted to to meet this variation in conditions existing on the market.

Furthermore, it will be observed that by my invention the same assembly may be employed for the bridge and bottom stops. Thus I am enabled to simplify the number of accessories which may be required.

It will be further understood that while I have disclosed the employment of an adhering or adhesive surface which is pressure sensitive and/or heat activatable which remains active in normal laundering operations, I contemplate the employment of adhesives which resist the detergents or solvents normally employed in dry cleaning operations, and I may accordingly for location purposes use a pressure sensitive adhesive, and thereafter activate a portion of the adhesive by heat to provide a coating which resists the solvents normally employed in dry cleaning operations.

Having thus described my invention and illustrated its use, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is-- 1. An end stop piece for stringers of zippers in which the scoop-supporting stringers are cut off for custom length to leave an unfinished cut end without tape extensions, said end stop piece comprising a fabric carrier having a layer of adhesive and folded adjacent the medial portion over a finger pliant separator piece, including a U-shaped strip having side branches, said carrier being adhesively united to said pliant strip and extending beyond the branches thereof, providing extension tabs for adhesive union to the stringer.

2. An end stop piece in accordance with claim 1 wherein said finger pliant piece has a hinge portion of parti-cylindrical contour, over which the carrier is folded and adhesively united thereto.

3. An end stop piece in accordance with claim 1 wherein said finger pliant piece has a hinge portion of parti-cylindrical contour, over which the carrier is folded and adhesively united thereto and a reinforcing tubular member clinching said fold to the hinge portion of said pliant strip, said finger pliant piece being metallic.

4. An end stop piece in accordance with claim 1 wherein said finger pliant piece has a hinge portion of parti-cylindrical contour, over which the carrier is folded and adhesively united thereto and a socket separator member engaging said hinge portion of said assembly.

5. A zipper separator end piece element adaptted to cooperate with another separator element and bottom stop to provide a separator couple, said separator end piece comprising a substantially U-shaped section of finger pressure deformable thin sheet metal having side branches joined by a web to define a substantially parti-tubular section axially parallel to the zipper edge stringer, said branches having a carrier overlying the same and including a cementitious layer uniting the same to the branches and extending beyond the same, forming an adhesive layer to unite the separator end piece to a stringer cut off for custom length, the carrier providing end tabs to sandwich therebetween the stringer tape.

6. A zipperseparator end piece in accordance with claim 5 wherein said hinge section is enveloped by a stiffening member.

7. A zipper separator end piece in accordance with claim 5 wherein said hinge section is enveloped by a stiffening member comprising a re inforcing tubular member clinching the carrier to the hinge section.

8. A zipper separator end piece in accordance with claim 5 wherein said hinge section is enveloped by a stiffening member comprising a reinforcing tubular member clinching the carrier to the hinge section, said reinforcing member having an extension socket.

9. An end stop piece for stringers of zippers in which the scoop-supporting stringers are cut off for custom length to leave an unfinished cut end for tape extensions, said end stop piece be ing finger pliant and formed of a fabric base united with a reinforcing means, said end stop piece being folded to form a rolled substantially tubular portion, a longitudinally split substantially semi-tubular reinforcing member securely positioned over said rolled portion and forming a pin for a separating end stop, portions of said end stop piece extending to either side of said rolled portion and reinforcing member and having a layer of adhesive, forming tabs for adhesive union to a cut stringer adjacent the end thereof, and portions of said end stop piece extending to embrace at least two scoops of the unfinished cut off end of the stringer.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,687,859 Fontaine Oct. 16, 1928 2,217,571 Susskind Oct. 8, 1940 2,220,136 Marinsky Nov. 5, 1940 2,267,119 Marinsky Dec. 23, 1941 2,368,911 Andler Feb. 6, 1945 2,438,615 Morin Mar. 30, 1948 2,547,487 Penney Apr. 3, 1951 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 557,418 Great Britain of 1943 

